title: Response of serum transferrin receptor to iron supplementation in iron-depleted, nonanemic women.
abstract: Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration has been recognized recently as a reliable indicator of functional iron deficiency, but its response to iron supplementation has not been investigated in marginally iron-deficient women. In this randomized, double-blinded trial, 37 female subjects aged 19-35 y with iron depletion without anemia (hemoglobin > 120 g/L and serum ferritin < 16 microg/L) received an iron supplement or placebo for 8 wk. Iron status was measured before treatment, after 4 wk of treatment, and posttreatment (ie, after 8 wk of treatment). Iron supplementation of these iron-depleted, nonanemic women resulted in a progressive and significant decrease in sTfR and a significant increase in serum ferritin, and prevented a fall in hemoglobin. The responsiveness of sTfR to iron treatment indicated that sTfR is a sensitive indicator of marginal iron deficiency in iron-depleted, nonanemic women, even when their body iron stores were being replenished.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Y I
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Haas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron